Because lately, I havent felt the stakes. Tonight, the show didnt shock me. However, I found myself enjoying this episode more than the past few. Credit: Bob Mahoney/The CW This episode did that and more. Lets get into it. And in an important update, Ripper Stefan didnt believe in shaving. In other words, Ripper Stefan is even less attractive than Stefan-with-blood-dripping-from-his-chin. (Because this time, theres blood in his beard. I know, I know, Im sorry....

If you choose links we provide, we may receive compensation. I remember sitting in the room and Julies like, ‘No, Damon and Elena have to kiss. That has to be the cliffhanger. Bob Mahoney/The CW; Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic Dont you rememberDawsons Creek? Youve got to do it.’ And Im like, ‘No, they cant. Quantrell Colbert/The CW You cannot.’ We were already fighting about Elena being with Damon or Elena being with Stefan....

Stefan Salvatores Best Moments Stefan Salvatore earned his hero hair. Stefan always saw the good in people, which is why the good in him always shined through. As much time as Stefan spent brooding, Lexi was the best friend that brought out his playful side. Bob Mahoney/The CW She allowed him to be comfortable enough to relax and maybe even smile. And in season 3, he stopped Damon from killing Klaus you guessed it!...

I was really kind of a nerd growing up, she tells EW. I think youll be surprised at her capacity for evil as the season develops, says the actress. I dont want to give it away, she says. Credit: Bob Mahoney/The CW Shes an integral part of the story and Sybils backstory. Shes motivated sadly, by these tragic circumstances, she says. Apparently, Sybil has abandonment issues after facing a long-term exile....

Take a look back at your favorite characters then and now as the series comes to a close Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore in Season 1; Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore in Season 8 Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore in Season 1; Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore in Season 8 Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett in Season 1; Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett in Season 8 Candice King as Caroline Forbes in Season 1; Candice King as Caroline Forbes in Season 8 Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan in Season 1; Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan in Season 8 Michael Trevino as Tyler Lockwood in Season 1; Michael Trevino as Tyler Lockwood in Season 8 Matthew Davis as Alaric Saltzman in Season 1; Matthew Davis as Alaric Saltzman in Season 8 Marguerite MacIntyre as Sheriff Liz Forbes in Season 1; Marguerite MacIntyre as Sheriff Liz Forbes in Season 8 Kayla Ewell as Vicki Donovan in Season 1; Kayla Ewell as Vicki Donovan in Season 8 Jasmine Guy as Sheila ‘Grams’ Bennett in Season 1; Jasmine Guy as Sheila ‘Grams’ Bennett in Season 8 Alan Markfield /The CW; Bob Mahoney/The CW...

If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation. Well, almost everyone. One person is missing. Bob Mahoney/The CW Did we forget to mention that this is a funeral? Its a sunny January day in Atlanta as theVampire Diariescast films its last group scene in the woods. This is a goodbye and its a big one. We were absolutely feeling epic. Somerhalder adds: Twilightwas very much the zeitgeist of pop culture....

Let’s start where we always do, with a trip down memory lane. It was right after he told her the story of how Stefan forced him to become a vampire. Actually, about that … And in exchange, Cade has something Damon wants: Elena’s body. Credit: Bob Mahoney/The CW But he’s going to need help. Of course, Bonnie isn’t too heartbroken about his decision to leave, but spoiler! he’s not going anywhere anytime soon....

But before we get too far into it, lets dissect the title. Nostalgias a Bitch:Its season 2, and Anna has just walked into the Miss Mystic Falls event. (Shes in need of best friend advice about the whole should I give Enzo the cure thing.) Credit: Annette Brown/The CW But when Caroline enters his mind, all she sees is fire and pain. But Caroline doesnt have it. (Hence the most recent sheriff quitting because of all the homicides....

You got the bad guy. Now nothing can come between you and Elena. In other words, Stefan has a lot of explaining to do. Credit: Bob Mahoney/The CW Or rather, Caroline does. Remember when Dorian mentioned that his father and sister died in a house fire? Well, thats actually what Stefan compelled him to believe. And now, Dorian has kidnapped Stefan and is forcing him to dig his own grave....

Stefan and Damon hit the road while Caroline tries to stop Sybil Well, we made it. From here on out, we are in the final stretch ofVampire Diariesepisodes ever. When he introduces himself, she simply responds, I know. Credit: Bob Mahoney/The CW But in the moment, she meant it literally. They were in the same history class… and English class and French class. Like Caroline says, we get it. At this point in the show, a threat to innocent lives is basically a typical Tuesday....

And yes, it’s about Stefan. Jump ahead eight seasons, and it might not be aJunewedding, but it’s definitely a wedding. Of course, we all assume that’s the Queen of Hell herself, Katherine Pierce. Credit: Bob Mahoney/The CW But it’s not until later that we’ll discover the truth. And that means they need a plan. Bonnie explains to Caroline that she won’t attend the wedding because she can’t watch Stefan be happy....

And even then, he hated that fact. After all, your humanity can never be more ON than when youre, you know, a human. We start the hour with Matt dreaming of the moment the Maxwell bell rang and burned 100 witches alive. Credit: Erika Doss/The CW Also, hes VERY sweaty. Between Ric and Dorian, they decide it might not have been so much a dream as a memory. Turns out, the Maxwell necklace is more of a talisman....

They talked all night. (Yes I did.) The action starts with Bonnie’s collapse. Bob Mahoney/The CW Stefan’s trying CPR to resuscitate her, but it’s not working. I’m ready." But Enzo’s not. After hugging Caroline, Bonnie turns to Stefan and tells him, “I saw her. I saw Elena.” Damon, desperate to disprove that, throws Vicki off of the bell tower. (He’s always had a thing for killing her.) All Vicki knows is that she can’t go back to hell....